Tool attachment system and router attachment and method incorporating same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed toward a quick attach and detach mechanism for a tool attachment such as a router attachment for a router. The attachment system includes a mounting adapter which may be integrally formed with the router housing or attached to the router housing as a bolt-on plate. The system works by vertically installing the tool attachment with the mounting adapter and then twisting to secure the tool attachment to the mounting adapter. A rotational lock is provided to prevent the tool attachment from inadvertently backing off or coming loose. This lock can be manually actuated to allow for quick detachment when desired. The tool attachment system is shown in association with a router which has several disclosed benefits, however there may also be applications of the system in other types of tool attachments for which coverage is also sought.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Nos. 60/446,871, filed Feb. 12, 2003, 60/505,275,filed Sep. 23, 2003, and 60/530,701, filed Dec. 15, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to tools and moreparticularly to tool attachment systems and methods for attaching anddetaching tool attachments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A router is a well known rotary cutting tool for routing aworkpiece. Typically a router has a rotating bit which extends through arouter base. At times it is desired to utilize a tool attachment such asa guide bushing, having a cylindrical extension, spaced around the bit,to guide the router along a template wall. The diameter of thecylindrical extension determines the distance between the bit and thetemplate wall, which determines the resultant pattern.

[0004] Typically a guide bushing is attached to a router base by firstattaching an adapter plate to the router base, and then attaching thedesired guide bushing to the adapter plate, typically by fastening thebushing to the adapter plate. However, because adapter plates forparticular router models and manufacturers typically have their ownunique bolt patterns, retailers must stock many models of adapter platesand guide bushings.

[0005] The present invention is directed toward improvements over theprior art, which are particularly applicable to routers, and that mayalso have application to other forms of tool attachments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention has several aspects which are herein soughtto be protected. In general, the present invention is directed toward atool attachment and system and method for providing for quick attachmentand detachment of such tool attachments, while also reliably securingand locating the tool attachment.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a tool attachment isprovided for mounting to a mounting adapter along a tool axis in whichthe mounting adapter includes an annular mounting surface and aplurality of mounting flanges angularly spaced about the axis. The toolattachment comprises an attachment housing having a generally circularattachment surface that is sized and configured to mate with the annularmounting surface of the mounting adapter. A plurality of attachmentflanges project radially from the attachment housing along theattachment surface. These attachment flanges are arranged in a commonplane generally perpendicular to the axis and are angularly spaced aboutthe axis. The spacing between attachment flanges forms a plurality ofgaps between adjacent pairs of the attachment flanges which providesufficient clearance to receive the mounting flanges of the mountingadapter through these gaps.

[0008] Another aspect of this invention is directed toward a new methodof releasably attaching a tool attachment to a mounting adapter about anaxis. The method is directed toward a mounting adapter with an annularmounting surface and a tool attachment with an annular attachmentsurface. According to the method, the tool attachment is installed ontothe mounting adapter along the axis to facilitate engagement between thefirst and second attachment service in a first direction along the axis.Relative rotation between the mounting adapter and the tool attachmentis conducted to cause interlocking engagement between corresponding endflanges along the first and second attachment surfaces. This providesfor retention of the tool attachment to the mounting adapter in a secondopposite axial direction. Thereafter, the mounting adapter and the toolattachment are rotationally locked.

[0009] The present invention is thought to have particular applicationand advantages in router applications and therefore certain claims aredirected toward such router attachment systems. According to thisaspect, a mounting adapter is provided along an end face of a routerhousing in which the mounting adapter includes an annular mountingsurface. A router attachment is provided that has an attachment housingwith an annular attachment surface that mates with the annular mountingsurface. The router attachment is rotatable between a release positionand an attached position. The router attachment is removable from themounting adapter in the release position and vertically engages themounting adapter in opposing axial directions in the attached position.A lock is provided which locks the router attachment to the mountingadapter in the attached position to prevent relative rotation betweenthe two components. The lock is subject to manual actuation to allowrotation between the router attachment and the mounting adapter to allowfor detachment of the router attachment from the mounting adapter.

[0010] A further aspect of the invention is directed toward the routerattachment system for a router comprises a mounting adapter plate thathas a plurality of bolt holes and a central hole adapted forcommunicating the spindle of the rotor therethrough when the mountingadapter plate is mounted to the rotor housing. The bolt holes facilitatemounting of the mounting adapter to the router housing via a fasteningoperation. A router attachment is provided that is adapted to positionthe router. The router attachment attaches and detaches from themounting adapter plate without bolts or fasteners. The rotor attachmentis vertically and rotationally secured to the mounting adapter platethrough engagement when attached to the mounting plate to preventmovement therebetween.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal router guide bushingof the present invention, attached to a router;

[0013]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 illustrates a first step in aligning the universal routerguide bushing of FIG. 1, with a chuck of a first dimension;

[0015]FIG. 4 illustrates a first step in aligning the universal routerguide bushing of FIG. 1, with a chuck of a second dimension;

[0016]FIG. 5 illustrates a second step in aligning the universal routerguide bushing of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 6 illustrates a third step in aligning the universal routerguide bushing of FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an adapter plate of the presentinvention;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a top view of a guide bushing of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a side view of the guide bushing of FIG. 8;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the guide bushing of FIG. 8;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the guide bushing of FIG. 8;

[0023]FIG. 12 is a partial view of the adapter plate; and

[0024]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a centering pin of the presentinvention.

[0025]FIG. 14 is an isometric top view of an adjustable router guideattachment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 15 is an isometric bottom view of the adjustable router guideattachment shown in FIG. 14.

[0027]FIG. 16 is a side profile view of the adjustable router guideattachment shown in FIG. 14, with a router attached thereto.

[0028]FIG. 17 is a bottom view the adjustable router guide attachmentshown in FIG. 14, with a router attached thereto.

[0029]FIG. 18 is an end view of the rail used is the adjustable routerguide attachment shown in FIG. 14.

[0030]FIG. 19 is an exploded isometric assembly view for the adjustablerouter guide attachment shown in FIG. 14.

[0031]FIG. 20 is a side profile view of the adjustable router guideattachment shown in FIG. 14, with a router attached thereto, being usedas an edge guide.

[0032]FIG. 21 is a side profile view of the adjustable router guideattachment shown in FIG. 14, with a router attached thereto, being usedas a circle compass.

[0033]FIG. 22 is a side profile view of the adjustable router guideattachment shown in FIG. 14, with a router attached thereto shown indashed lines, with opposed ends of the rail clamped such that the railis being used as a linear sliding guide.

[0034]FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the collar of the adjustable routerguide attachment shown in FIG. 14.

[0035]FIG. 24 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism shown in FIG.19.

[0036]FIG. 25 is an isometric top side view of an adjustable routerguide attachment in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

[0037]FIG. 26 is an isometric bottom side view of the adjustable routerguide attachment shown in FIG. 25.

[0038]FIG. 27 is an exploded isometric assembly view of the router guideattachment shown in FIG. 25.

[0039]FIG. 28 is another exploded isometric assembly view of the routerguide attachment shown in FIG. 25, but with this illustration beingshown from the bottom side.

[0040]FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the router guide attachmentbetter showing the configuration and operation of the spring loadedactuator mechanism.

[0041]FIG. 30 is a top view of the router guide attachment.

[0042]FIG. 31 is an end view of the router guide attachment.

[0043]FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the router guide attachment.

[0044]FIG. 33 is an isometric exploded view showing how the router guideattachment is mounted to a router.

[0045]FIG. 34 is a view similar to FIG. 33 except the mounting plate isshown integral with the router.

[0046]FIG. 35 is an enlarged cross-section of the mounting plate andcollar portion to better illustrate vertical retention of the mountingplate to the attachment housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in manydifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail various embodiments of the invention with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodimentillustrated.

[0048] A universal router bushing adapter, generally designated 10, forpermitting attachment of a router guide bushing 12 to any of a pluralityof routers, such as router 14, is illustrated in the FIGS. 1-13. Therouter guide bushing has a cylindrical extension 13. The adapter 10comprises an adapter plate 18 having a plurality of mounting apertures22 corresponding to mounting apertures of the plurality of spring-biasedrouter base plates, such as base plate 23.

[0049] The adapter 10 further includes a centering bit 26 having a firstend 26 a dimensioned for insertion into a router chuck 28. The routerchuck 28 is dimensioned to receive a bit of a first dimension, such as ¼inch. The centering bit 26 further includes a first centering portion 26b spaced from the first end 26 a. The first centering portion 26 b is inthe form of a frustum. The first centering portion 26 b is generallysolid.

[0050] For use with a router having a chuck dimensioned to receive a bitof a second dimension, such as ½ inch, the centering bit 26 alsoincludes a second end 26 c dimensioned for insertion into the seconddimensioned chuck. The centering bit also includes a second centeringportion 26 d spaced from the second end 26 d. The second centeringportion 26 e is in the form of a frustum.

[0051] The adapter plate 18 includes a central aperture surface 18 adefining a central aperture 38. The adapter plate 18 further includesthree lips 40 disposed along the central aperture surface 18 a to engagethree respective cooperative tapered lips 44 on the guide bushing 12.Each of the tapered lips 40 includes a protrusion 40 a (FIG. 12) toengage a cooperative recess 44 a (FIG. 9) on a respective one of theguide bushing tapered lips 44. This provides a form of rotational lockthat can be manually locked and unlocked.

[0052] To mount the guide bushing 12 to the router base plate 23, firstthe guide bushing 12 is secured to the adapter plate 18 (FIGS. 3 and 4).The adapter plate 18 is then loosely attached to the router base 23 witha plurality of screws 46. The centering bit 26 is provided and its firstend 26 a is secured in the chuck. The base plate is biased by threesprings 48. The spring biased base plate 23 is then depressed (FIG. 5),causing the centering portion of the centering bit 26 to enter the guidebushing 12 to center the guide bushing 12 relative to the centering pin26. The adapter plate 18 is then secured to the base plate 23 bytightening the screws 46.

[0053] The router guide bushing 12 includes four apertures 12 a, forimproved visibility. Two of the apertures 12 a are smaller, to providespace for indicia 12 b, indicative of the diameter of the cylindricalextension 13.

[0054] With the present invention, retailers no longer must stock guidebushings for many different base plate configurations. Rather, all theyneed do is stock the universal adapter plate, and guide bushings for theuniversal adapter plate. Additionally, once the adapter plate 18 is inplace on the router 14, other guide bushings 12, having differentcylindrical extension diameters, can be readily interchanged.

[0055] Turning to a second embodiment of the present invention, anadjustable router guide attachment 110 for a router 111 is shown in theFIGS. 14-22. The attachment 110 generally includes a router mountingadapter 112, a rail 114, a center pilot member 116, and a edge guideassembly 118.

[0056] The router mounting adapter 112 preferably comprises a quickattachment and release type of adapter as shown, which may comprise alocking and release mechanism that may be similar to that disclosed andtaught in U.S. Patent Application No. 60/446,871, entitled “UniversalRouter Guide Bushing Adapter And Method” filed on Feb. 12, 2003, and assuch the entire disclosure of this application is hereby incorporated byreference. The router mounting adapter 112 includes a collar 120 and amounting plate 122, both of which may be formed of plastic material, orcast from metal material for heavier duty construction. The mountingplate 122 includes bolt holes that facilitate bolting of the mountingplate 122 to the end face of the router 111 generally concentric orcoaxial about the router's spindle.

[0057] The mounting plate 122 includes retainers in the form ofangularly spaced threads 124 on the outer periphery thereof, which arereceived by corresponding retainers in the form of angularly spacedthreads 126 on the inner periphery of the collar 120. Engagement of thethreads 124, 126 or other suitable form of retainers, provides for axialretention. In addition, a rotational lock 128 is provided between thecollar 120 and the plate 122, which may comprise a movable catch orlatch 130 which may be loaded via a spring 132 to releasably lock into acorresponding stop 134 such as a thread end face, snag or divot. In thisembodiment, the spring loaded latch 130 is mounted to the collar 120,while the end stop 134 (and preferably multiple end stops 134 areprovided to allow for different angular orientations although only onestop surface is needed for rotational locking) is formed in acorresponding location along the radial periphery mounting plate 122. Byrotating the mounting plate 122 relative to the collar 120, the mountingplate 122 (and thereby the router 111) is removably and releasablysecured to the collar 120 to provide for quick attachment and detachmentof the router guide attachment 110.

[0058] It will be appreciated that the plate 122 may not be sold as partof the adjustable router guide attachment 110, since this plate 122 maybe integrated into the end face of the router 111 rather than providedas a separate plate. Also, the plate may be provided from anotherapplication, e.g., such a bushing guide, and therefore another plate maynot need to be provided, but only the collar 120 which interfaces andreleasably locks with the plate 122. Also, the mounting adapter couldtake other forms such as bolting or otherwise securing the rail directlyto router, but such alternatives are less preferred.

[0059] The collar 120 has a projecting mounting flange 136 to which therail 114 is mounted 136. The rail 114 may be formed as an aluminumextruded member with dovetail or other locking type grooves 138 onopposed sides. Plastic end caps 140 may cover ends of the rail 114. Tomount the mounting flange 136 of the collar 120 to rail 114, a dovetailslidable bar segment 142 is provided, which is an assembly of upper andlower component parts 142 a, 142 b is provided.

[0060] Each component part 142 a, 142 b of the bar segment 142 includesa dovetail profile 146 that is adapted to slide linearly within thedovetail groove 138 of the rail 114. The bar segment 142 includes avertically extending shaft 144 (e.g. the threaded shaft of a boltretained by the lower component) that is received through acorresponding hole 152 in the mounting flange 136. The top face of theslidable bar segment includes a pair of perpendicularly intersectingslots 148, 150 in the shape of a cross. The mounting flange 136 includesa complementary block portion 154 projecting vertically that is receivedinto either of the slots 148, 150. To secure the collar 120, themounting flange 136 is arranged on the bar segment 142, with thethreaded shaft 144 projecting through the hole 152 and the block portion154 received in one of the complementary slots 148, 150. A thumb screw156 is threaded on the shaft 144 to attach the collar 120 and tightenedto fix the position of the collar 120 relative to the rail 114. Inparticular, when the thumb screw 156 is not tightened down, the barsegment 142 and therefore the collar 120 may be linearly movablerelative to the rail 114 through sliding contact between complimentarydovetail surfaces. However, when the thumb screw 156 is tightened, theupper segment component part 142 a is forced downwardly and the lowersegment component part 142 b is forced upwardly wedging the componentsin the rail 114 and in effect clamping collar 120 in a fixed positionrelative to the rail 114.

[0061] Another aspect of the disclosed embodiment is directed toward thefeature of a selectively movable edge guide assembly 118. This assembly118 includes a linear edge guide 158 which may be formed from stampedsheet metal to provide a guide surface 161 extending in plane generallyperpendicular to the linear axis of the rail 114. The linear edge guide158 is secured to a bar segment 160, which itself comprise two componentparts 160 a, 160 b, each of which includes of a complimentary dovetailprofile 162 that is adapted to slide linearly within the dovetail groove138 of the rail 114.

[0062] A handle 164 is provided that is extendible and retractable (seee.g. FIGS. 16 and 20). The handle 164 also may also be part of aclamping mechanism which may be used to releasably secure the edge guideassembly 118 to selectively provide for a fixed position or for movementto adjust position. The handle 164 is pivotally mounted to a pivot pin168, which is secured to the upper component part 160 a via a screw 172extending through the lower component part 160 b. The screw 172 isbiased in one axial direction via a spring washer 174. The handleincludes a slot 170 to allow for pivoting movement of the handlerelative to the pivot pin 168 and an eccentric cam surface 166 thatrides against the bottom surface of the lower component part 160 b.

[0063] When the handle 164 is retracted, the bar segment 160 is relaxedallowing edge guide assembly 118 to be linearly moved and repositionedto the rail 114 through sliding contact between complimentary dovetailsurfaces. However, when the handle 164 is moved to an extended position,the cam surface 166 engages the bottom surface of the bar segment 160,causing the upper segment component part 160 a to be forced downwardlyand the lower segment component part 160 b to be forced upwardly wedgingthe components in the rail 114 and in effect clamping the edge guideassembly 118 in a fixed position relative to the rail 114.

[0064] Another aspect of the disclosed embodiment is directed toward thefeature of a centering pilot member 116 which comprises two componentparts 116 a, 116 b, each of which includes of the includes acomplimentary dovetail profile 180 that is adapted to slide linearlywithin the dovetail groove 138 of the rail 114. The centering pilotmember 116 also includes a cylindrical bushing 182 with a centralthrough hole 184 that is adapted to be nailed or screwed or otherwisefastened to a working surface. The bushing 182 is received in acylindrical cavity 186 of the member 116 to provide forrotation/pivoting movement therebetween.

[0065] A screw 188 is threaded into a threaded hole in the uppercomponent part 116 a and may be tightened to fix the position of thecentering pilot member 116 relative to the rail 114. In particular, whenthe screw 188 is not tightened down, the centering pilot member 116 maybe linearly movable relative to the rail 114 through sliding contactbetween complimentary dovetail surfaces. However, when the screw 188 istightened, the upper segment component part 116 a is forced downwardlyand the lower segment component part 116 b is forced upwardly wedgingthe components in the rail 114 and in effect clamping the centeringpilot member 116 in a fixed position relative to the rail 114.

[0066] With the foregoing arrangement, the disclosed embodiment of therouter guide attachment 110 is versatile and has different operationalmodes. As shown in FIG. 20, the edge guide assembly 118 may be used toprovide a predetermined spacing between the router 111 and an edge of aworkpiece, with the edge guide 158 contacting the workpiece edge. Theposition of the edge guide assembly 118 can be adjusted as describedabove to provide the desired spacing. A linear scale (not shown) may beprovided along the rail to indicate spacing. Another operational mode isshown in FIG. 21, wherein the router guide attachment 110 is being usedas a circle compass to provide for circular cutting action about a fixedpoint. The bushing 182 can be fastened to the working surface to providethis fixed point. While in this mode, the edge guide assembly 118 may beremoved or affixed to the top side of the rail, out of the way. A thirdmode has been shown in FIG. 22 in which the rail is used as a linearsliding guide. To accomplish this mode, the collar 120 can be releasedfrom the bar segment 142, rotated about ninety degrees and then securedback to the bar segment 142 (with the thumb screw 156 snug but nottightened). This allows for linear movement of the router 111 relativeto the rail 114 and can be used to make linear cuts in a workpiece atany desired location. To hold the rail 114 stationary, one or moreclamps (e.g. C-clamps) may be used to temporarily fix the position ofthe rail 114 to the workpiece to complete the desired cut.

[0067] Turning to a third embodiment of the present invention, a routerguide attachment 210 as shown in FIGS. 25-32 attaches and detaches witha router 212 as shown in FIG. 33. The attachment 210 includes severalcomponent parts including a housing 214, a handle 216, a lock actuator218, and a retention plate 220.

[0068] As shown, a router guide attachment preferably comprises a quickattach and release type mounting adaptor as shown, which may comprise alocking and release mechanism that may be similar to that disclosed andtaught in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/446,871, entitled“Universal Router Guide Pushing Adaptor And Method” filed on Feb. 12,2003 or U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/505,275, entitled“Adjustable Router Guide” filed on Sep. 23, 2003, and as such the entiredisclosures of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference.To facilitate quick attachment and detachment, the housing 214 includesa collar portion 222 that is adapted to rotatably engage a relativelyflat circular mounting plate 224 (see FIG. 33). Both the collar 222 andthe mounting plate 222 may be formed of plastic material, or cast frommetal material for heavier duty construction. Mounting plate 224includes bolt holes with the facilitating bolting of the mounting plate224 to the end face of the router 212 generally concentric or coaxialabout the router spindle. It will be readily appreciated thatalternatively, the end face of the router may unitarily provide themounting plate 222 (e.g., the mounting plate 222 may be unitarily formedinto the housing of the router 212 and therefore a separate platecomponent may not be needed).

[0069] Mounting plate 224 provides for vertical retention through theprovision of a plurality of angularly spaced flanges in the form ofthreads 226 on the outer circular periphery thereof, which are receivedby and are adapted to engage corresponding flanges in the form ofangularly spaced threads 228 on the inner circular periphery of thecollar portion 222. Engagement of the threads 226, 228 thereby providesfor axial or vertical retention, preventing relative vertical or axialmovement of the router 212 (with mounting plate 224 attached), and therouter guide attachment 210, once the corresponding threads 226, 228 arerotated into engagement with one another. Referring to FIG. 35, verticalretention is further provided by corresponding chamfered surfaces 227,229 on the collar portion 222 and the mounting plate 224 that preventthe mounting plate 224 from dropping through the collar portion 222.Alternatively, the mounting plate could include a radially outwardextending top flange that may rest on the top side of collar portion 222to provide for this retention feature.

[0070] In addition to vertical retention, a rotational lock is providedin the form of the spring loaded lock actuator 218. As shown in FIG. 28,the actuator is mounted into a bottom side cavity 230 formed into theunderside of the housing 214. The cavity 230 is in the shape of a trackto provide for sliding lateral reciprocating movement of the lockactuator 218. The actuator 218 includes a finger pull tab 232 whichextends through a slot 234 to be exposed along the topside of thehousing 214. A spring 236 supported by the housing (herein shown as acoil spring, but any type of spring including a spring integrally formedwith the resilient plastic material of the lock actuator or housing maybe used) biases the lock actuator 218 toward the collar portion 222. Thelock actuator 218 includes a lock tab 238 at its forward end thatprojects through an opening through an opening into the circularperiphery of the collar portion 222. The finger pull tab 232 can bemanually actuated against the action of the spring 236 to retract andadvance the actuator and thereby the lock tab 238 as desired. Theactuator 218 a spring 236 are secured into the cavity 230 by virtue ofthe cover plate 220 which is screwed onto the housing 214 with screws240.

[0071] The lock tab 238 provides a stop surface that engages acorresponding stop structure 242 on the mounting plate 224 such as aflange end face as shown, or a snag or divot in the alternative.Preferably multiple end stops structures 242 are provided, one for eachdifferent set of threads 226, 228, such that the router 212 can bemounted at a corresponding different number of angular orientations.

[0072] To facilitate attachment of the router 212 with the mountingplate 224 mounted thereto, to the guide attachment 210, the mountingplate 224 is set into the collar portion 222 and then relative rotationbetween the two components is facilitated to cause the threads 226, 228to rotate pass one another. The lock tab 238 may include a cam surface239 which engaged, by the outer surface of the mounting plate 224initially back drives the lock actuator 218 to avoid interference withthe rotational movement. Once relative rotation occurs, the lockactuator 218 automatically advances under the spring bias to move thelock tab 238 into locking engagement with the corresponding stopstructure 242 once rotating there past to prevent back rotation. Inaddition, end of movement stops 244, 246 are respectively provided onthe collar portion 222 and the mounting plate 224 that come into contactwith one another to prevent over rotation of the mounting plate 224relative to the collar portion 222. At this point, the router 212 andmounting plate 224 are rotationally locked to the housing by virtue ofthe lock actuator 218 being spring-biased forward and preventing themounting plate from rotating out of position. At the same time, thecorresponding threads 226, 228 axially or vertically retain the housing214 to the router 212 and mounting plate 224.

[0073] A secondary form of lock mechanism is provided in the form ofraised ribs which provide snaps 245, 247 on the corresponding threads226, 228 of the collar portion 222 and mounting plate 224. As thesesnaps 245, 247 rotate past one another during the rotational movementdescribed above, they snap past each other. This provides a secondaryadditional means (in addition to lock actuator 218) for rotationallylocking the collar portion 222 and the mounting plate 224. Accordingly,it will be readily appreciated that redundant rotational locking meansis thereby provided, however, an alternate embodiment of the inventionmay include only one locking means. The rotational locking facilitatedby snaps 245, 247 is facilitated by virtue of the resilient nature ofthe material selected for the collar portion 222 and/or the mountingplate 224. As such, the rotational locking force provided by the snapscan be overcome radially (by virtue of corresponding cam surfaces ontrailing faces of the snaps), which allow the mounting plate 224 to bereadily detached from the collar portion 222 with manual force.

[0074] When it is desired to release the router guide attachment 210from the router 212, it can be accomplished relatively easily simply bypulling the finger pull tab 232 thus retracting the lock actuator 218.When this happens, the mounting plate 224 and collar portion 222 are nolonger rotationally locked with one another, and the router can berotated to release the router and mounting plate 224 from the collarportion 220 of the router guide attachment 210.

[0075] The third embodiment includes an arm portion 248 extendingradially from the collar portion 222. In the outboard of the finger pulltab 232 is a handle in the form of a rotatable knob 216. The knob 216includes an axially extending threaded shaft portion 252 that isinserted into a hole 254 formed in the housing 214 and is securedthereto by a threaded fastener nut 256 on the underside of the housing214. The knob 216 can be manipulated by hand to facilitate easiermanipulation and positioning of the router when the router guideattachment 210 is mounted thereof.

[0076] The above features and quick attachment and detachment system ofthe various embodiments above may be incorporated into a wide variety ofdifferent types of router attachments to include but not limited to edgeguides, router tables, dato guides, elipse guides, circle compasses,and/or other such tool attachments. The embodiments shown herein arejust some of the potential examples. The above features may also beincorporated into other types of tool attachments, and certain claimsare directed toward these aspects.

[0077] All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

[0078] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referentsin the context of describing the invention (especially in the context ofthe following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular andthe plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

[0079] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein,including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out theinvention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by theinvention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A router attachment system, comprising: a routerincluding a router housing and a spindle, the spindle adapted to revolverelative to the housing about a vertical axis; a mounting adapter alongan end face of the router housing, the mounting adapter including anannular mounting surface; a router attachment adapted to position therouter, the router attachment including an attachment housing with anannular attachment surface that mates with the annular mounting surface;wherein the router attachment is rotatable between a release positionand an attach position, the router attachment being removable from themounting adapter in the release position, the router attachmentvertically engaging the mounting adapter in opposing directions alongthe axis in the attach position for vertical retention of the routerattachment; a lock locking the router attachment and the mountingadapter in the attach position to prevent relative rotationtherebetween, the lock subject to manual actuation to allow rotationbetween the router attachment and the mounting adapter for detachment ofthe router attachment from the mounting adapter.
 2. The routerattachment system of claim 1, wherein the lock comprises correspondingsnaps on the attachment and mounting surfaces, the snaps snapping pasteach other during rotation from the release position to the attachposition to hold the router attachment in the attach position.
 3. Therouter attachment system of claim 1, wherein the lock comprises anactuator carried by the attachment housing, the actuator movable betweena lock position and an unlock position, the mounting adapter including astop surface engaging the actuator in the lock position to preventrelative rotation between the router attachment and the mountingadapter, the actuator being manually movable to the unlock position tocause disengagement between the actuator and the stop surface andthereby allow rotation toward the release position.
 4. The routerattachment system of claim 3, wherein the actuator is movable along atransverse axis relative to the vertical axis, a spring supported by theattachment housing biasing the actuator toward the mounting adapter. 5.The router attachment system of claim 4, further comprising cammingmeans between the mounting adapter and the actuator for automaticallymoving the actuator toward the unlock position against the bias of thespring in response to relative rotation between the mounting adapter andthe router attachment toward the attach position.
 6. The routerattachment system of claim 4, wherein the actuator is mounted to abottom side of the attachment housing and includes a pull tab projectingthrough an opposite top side of the attachment housing.
 7. The routerattachment system of claim 1, wherein the mounting adapter includesfirst flanges projecting radially along the annular mounting surface,and wherein the attachment housing includes second flanges projectingradially along the annular attachment surface, the first and secondflanges being vertically movable past each other in the release positionto permit vertical removal of the router attachment from the mountingadapter, the first and second flanges interlocking with each other whenin the attach position to prevent vertical removal.
 8. The routerattachment system of claim 7, wherein the first flanges lie in a commonplane substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis, and wherein thesecond flanges lie in a common plane substantially perpendicular to thevertical axis, and wherein the first flanges and second flanges areangularly spaced at equidistant angular intervals about the verticalaxis.
 9. The router attachment system of claim 7, further comprisingfirst and second generally conical surfaces formed into the attachmentand mounting surfaces, wherein vertical interference between the firstand second generally conical surfaces provide for vertical retention ina first direction along the vertical axis, and wherein interlockingengagement between first and second flanges provides for verticalretention along the vertical axis in a second direction opposite saidfirst direction.
 10. The router attachment system of claim 1, whereinthe router attachment comprises a generally circular collar portiondefining the annular attachment surface, the collar portion centrallyreceiving the mounting adapter.
 11. The router attachment system ofclaim 1, wherein the mounting adapter includes a generally circularcollar portion defining the annular mounting surface, the collar portioncentrally receiving the router attachment.
 12. The router attachmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the annular mounting surface of the mountingadapter includes an outer radial peripheral mounting surface adapted tomate with a first type of router attachment having collar portion forcentrally receiving the mounting adapter, and a central hole adapted tocommunicate the spindle therethrough, the mounting adapter having aninner radial peripheral mounting surface about the central hole adaptedto mate with a second type of router attachment that is receivedcentrally into the central hole.
 13. The router attachment system ofclaim 1, wherein the mounting adapter comprises a mounting plate havinga plurality of bolt holes, and a central opening adapted to convey thespindle therethrough, further comprising bolts fastening the mountingplate to the router housing.
 14. The router attachment system of claim1, wherein the mounting adapter is integrally and unitarily formed withthe router housing.
 15. A router attachment system for a router, therouter comprising a router housing and a spindle, the spindle revolvingrelative to the housing about a vertical axis, the router attachmentsystem comprising: a mounting adapter plate having a plurality of boltholes and a central hole adapted for communicating the spindletherethrough when the mounting adapter plate is mounted to the routerhousing, at least two of the bolt holes matching with corresponding boltholes in the router housing, wherein the mounting adapter plate isadapted to be fastened to the router housing; and a router attachmentadapted to position the router, the router attachment attaching to anddetaching from the mounting adapter plate without bolts, the routerattachment vertically engaging and rotationally engaging the mountingadapter plate when attached to the mounting plate adapter to preventrelative movement therebetween.
 16. The router attachment system ofclaim 15, further comprising: first vertical engagement means betweenthe mounting adapter plate and the router attachment for verticallyretaining the router attachment to the mounting adapter along a firstdirection along the vertical axis; second vertical engagement firstmeans between the mounting adapter plate and the router attachment forvertically retaining the router attachment to the mounting adapter alonga second direction along the vertical axis opposite said firstdirection; and first rotational locking means for rotationally lockingthe router attachment to the mounting adapter plate in the attachposition.
 17. The router attachment of claim 15 wherein the mountingadapter plate includes an outer radial peripheral mounting surfaceadapted to mate with a first type of router attachment having collarportion for centrally receiving the mounting adapter plate, and whereinthe mounting adapter includes an inner radial peripheral mountingsurface defining a central hole that is adapted to mate with a secondtype of router attachment and that is received into the central hole.18. The router attachment of claim 15, wherein the mounting adapterplate and the router attachment include corresponding annular mountingand attachment surfaces, respectively, the annular mounting andattachment surfaces adapted to mate with each other wherein the routerattachment is rotatable between a release position and an attachposition, the router attachment being removable from the mountingadapter plate in the release position, the router attachment verticallyengaging the mounting adapter plate in opposing directions along theaxis in the attach position for vertical retention of the routerattachment.
 19. The router attachment system of claim 18, furthercomprising corresponding snaps on the mounting and attachment surfaces,the snaps snapping past each other during rotation from the releaseposition to the attach position to hold the router attachment in theattach position.
 20. The router attachment system of claim 18, furthercomprising an actuator carried by an attachment housing of the routerattachment, the actuator movable between a lock position and an unlockposition, the mounting adapter plate including a stop surface engagingthe actuator in the lock position to prevent relative rotation betweenthe router attachment and the mounting adapter plate, the actuator beingmanually movable to the unlock position to cause disengagement betweenthe actuator and the stop surface and thereby allow rotation to therelease position.
 21. The router attachment system of claim 20, whereinthe actuator is movable along a transverse axis relative to the verticalaxis, a spring supported by the attachment housing biasing the actuatortoward the mounting adapter.
 22. The router attachment system of claim18, wherein the mounting adapter plate includes first flanges projectingradially along the annular mounting surface, and wherein the routerattachment includes second flanges projecting radially along the annularattachment surface, the first and second flanges being verticallymovable past each other in the release position to permit removal of therouter attachment from the mounting adapter plate, the first and secondflanges interlocking with each other when in the attach position toprevent removal.
 23. The router attachment system of claim 22, whereinthe first flanges lie in a common plane substantially perpendicular tothe vertical axis, and wherein the second flanges lie in a common planesubstantially perpendicular to the vertical axis, and wherein the firstflanges and second flanges are angularly spaced at equidistant angularintervals about the vertical axis.
 24. The router attachment system ofclaim 22 further comprising first and second generally conical surfacesbetween the mounting and attachment surfaces, respectively, whereinvertical interference between the first and second generally conicalsurfaces provide for vertical retention in a first direction along thevertical axis, and wherein interlocking engagement between first andsecond flanges provides for vertical retention along the vertical axisin a second direction opposite said first direction.
 25. The routerattachment system of claim 15, wherein the router attachment comprises agenerally circular collar portion centrally receiving the mountingadapter plate.
 26. The router attachment system of claim 15, wherein therouter attachment is received into the central hole, the routerattachment defining a central opening for communicating the spindletherethrough when mounted to the router.
 27. A tool attachment formounting to a mounting adapter along an axis, the mounting adapterincluding an annular mounting surface a plurality of mounting flangesangularly spaced about the axis, the tool attachment, comprising: anattachment housing including a generally circular attachment surfacesized and configured to mate with the annular mounting surface; and aplurality of attachment flanges projecting radially from the attachmenthousing along the attachment surface, the attachment flanges beingarranged in a common plane generally perpendicular to the axis andangularly spaced about the axis, a plurality of gaps defined betweenadjacent pairs of the attachment flanges providing sufficient clearanceto receive the mounting flanges through the gaps.
 28. The toolattachment of claim 27, further comprising means for rotationallylocking the attachment housing to the mounting adapter.
 29. The toolattachment system of claim 28, wherein said rotational locking meanscomprises at least one snap adapted to resiliently engage the mountingadapter.
 30. The tool attachment of claim 29 wherein the at least onesnap is formed into at least one of the attachment flanges.
 31. The toolattachment of claim 32, wherein the at least one snap is formed into abottom surface of at least one of the attachment flanges.
 32. The toolattachment of claim 27, wherein the generally circular attachmentsurface comprises a generally conical engagement surface for verticallyengaging the mounting adapter.
 33. The tool attachment of claim 27,wherein the attachment housing comprises plastic material that form theattachment surface and the plurality of attachment flanges.
 34. The toolattachment of claim 28, wherein said locking means comprises an actuatorcarried by the attachment housing, the actuator movable between a lockposition and an unlock position, the actuator being movable between thelock and unlock positions transversely relative to the axis, the lockactuator including a stop tab projecting from the attachment surface inthe lock position for engaging the mounting adapter.
 35. The toolattachment of claim 34, further comprising a spring supported by theattachment housing biasing the actuator toward the attachment surface.36. The tool attachment of claim 35, further comprising camming means onthe actuator for automatically moving the actuator toward the unlockposition against the bias of the spring in response to relative rotationbetween the mounting adapter and the tool attachment toward the attachposition.
 37. The tool attachment of claim 34, wherein the actuator ismounted to a bottom side of the attachment housing and includes a pulltab projecting through an opposite top side of the attachment housing.38. The tool attachment of claim 27, wherein the tool attachmentcomprises a generally circular collar portion defining the attachmentsurface, the collar portion adapted to centrally receive the mountingadapter.
 39. The tool attachment of claim 28, wherein the attachmentsurface is formed into a radial periphery of the attachment housing withthe attachment flanges projecting radially outward, the attachmenthousing adapted to be inserted into an opening in the mounting adapter.40. The tool attachment of claim 27, further comprising guide means forengaging a working surface and for guiding movement of a spindle of arouter when attached thereto.
 41. The tool attachment of claim 40,wherein the guide means comprises an annular bushing projecting downwardfrom a generally planar bottom slide surface.
 42. The tool attachment ofclaim 40, wherein the guide means comprises a rail extending from theattachment housing and a slide selectively movable along the rail, theslide including a guide surface for engaging an edge of the workingsurface.
 43. A method of releasably attaching a tool attachment to amounting adapter about an axis, the method comprising: installing thetool attachment onto a mounting adapter along the axis to facilitateengagement in a first direction along the axis between mounting andattachment surfaces of the mounting adapter and the tool attachment,respectively; facilitating relative rotation about the axis between themounting adapter and the tool attachment to cause interlockingengagement between corresponding flanges along the first and secondattachment surfaces and thereby provide for retention of the toolattachment to the mounting adapter in a second direction opposition saidfirst direction; and rotationally locking the mounting adapter to thetool attachment.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the mountingadapter is unitarily formed into a router housing of a router having avertically rotatable spindle along the axis.
 45. The method of claim 43,wherein the mounting adapter is provided by a mounting adapter plate,further comprising bolting the mounting adapter plate onto a routerhousing of a router having a vertically rotatable spindle along theaxis, the spindle extending through the mounting adapter plate.
 46. Themethod of claim 43, wherein said facilitating relative rotationcomprising rotating at least one of the mounting adapter and the toolattachment about the axis until corresponding stop surfaces between themounting adapter and the tool attachment abut.
 47. The method of claim43, wherein said rotational locking comprises resiliently snapping thetool attachment to the mounting adapter.
 48. The method of claim 43,wherein said rotational locking comprises driving a spring loadedactuator transversely relative to the axis, the actuator including astop tab having an advanced position in which the stop tab is positionedto engage the mounting adapter to prevent relative rotation between themounting adapter and the tool attachment.
 49. The method of claim 48,further comprising rotationally unlocking the mounting adapter from thetool attachment by manually retracting the stop tab and facilitatingrelative rotation about the axis between the mounting adapter and thetool attachment.
 50. The method of claim 48, further comprising cammingthe actuator and thereby retracting the actuator automatically duringsaid relative rotation.
 51. The method of claim 43, wherein saidinstalling comprises seating corresponding mating surfaces between themounting adapter and the tool attachment in a first direction along theaxis, passing a plurality of first flanges of the mounting adapterthrough corresponding gaps formed between a plurality of second flangesof the tool attachment, and said facilitating rotation comprisesinterlocking the first and second flanges to retain the tool attachmentto the mounting adapter and prevent removal in a second directionopposite said first direction.